The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government, in partnership with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, has launched a cochlear implant program at Peshawar’s Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) to assist children born with hearing impairments.
With each surgery costing approximately Rs2.15 million, financial support is provided through a joint effort between Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Sehat Card initiative, alleviating the cost burden on families.
During the program’s initial pilot phase, the ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) team at HMC successfully performed nine cochlear implant surgeries. These advanced procedures are now available for children aged six months to five years under the Sehat Card (Health Card) program, making access more affordable for families.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Health Department has launched a new recruitment drive to address the province-wide shortage of physicians, with a particular focus on improving healthcare access in underserved and remote areas.
A key aspect of this initiative is the prioritization of local candidates for placements in hospitals within their own regions, ensuring that physicians are familiar with local contexts and better equipped to provide effective medical care.
In the first phase of the campaign, 115 medical officers will be appointed across various healthcare facilities. Moreover, 51 specialist consultants will be engaged on a contractual basis to activate and support specialized services at District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs).
